Cree RF GaN HEMT MMIC amplifier range

Cree RF has developed five GaN HEMT MMIC amplifiers that increase the range of frequencies available to X-band.

The CMLA2540001D introduces what is claimed to be the first commercially available GaN HEMT low-noise amplifier MMIC. The device operates over the 2.5 to 4 GHz band with small-signal gain of 28 dB and input/output return losses of greater than 10 dB.

At an operating voltage of 24, the device has a noise figure better than 2 dB over the entire frequency range, with a typical value of 1.7 dB. Input/output third order intercept points are 12 and 38 dBm.

These features make this MMIC suitable for a robust LNA with improved linearity and input power handling for radar and other S-band applications.

Designated the CMPA2060025D, this MMIC power amplifier delivers about 25 W from 2 to 6 GHz, improving on the performance and extending the frequency coverage of the company’s CMPA2560025D series down to 2.0 GHz. Power gain over the band is 17 dB with input/output return losses of better than 7 dB.

The MMIC shows good power added efficiency of typically 35% over the entire frequency range and is suitable for homeland defence and electronic warfare applications.

The CMPA2735075D high-power amplifier provides 75 W with a typical PAE of 60% over an instant bandwidth of 2.7 to 3.5 GHz. Suitable for civil and military radars that require significant power, gain and efficiency within a small footprint, the device is one of the smallest MMIC high-power amplifiers covering this bandwidth. The amplifier operates with a supply voltage of 28 with 20 dB of gain (typical) and is matched to 50 Ω input/output, requiring minimal off-chip bias bypassing.

The CMPA5585025D provides more than 25 W output over the 5 to 8 GHz band and is suitable for applications in point-to-point radios, satcom, test instrumentation and EMC amplifiers. The MMIC device provides 20 dB power gain with typical power added efficiencies of greater than 38%.

The CMPA801B025D MMIC power amplifier covers the 8 to 11 GHz frequency range with a typical output power capability of 25 W. This MMIC has applications in satellite communications and a variety of civilian and military radar applications.

The device features 18 dB of power gain with typical power added efficiencies of 35%.